The Submarine Torpedo Boat
Its Characteristics And Modern Development

28 THE SUBMARINE TORPEDO BOAT boats at the present time. Under water it has been effected to some extent by a general adaptation of fore and aft hydroplanes, which tend within certain limits to control the boat in a vertical plane on a nearly even keel. This method is however still accompanied by a very small margin of safety, and is objectionable on the score that it is sluggish in action. Reliability of engines and power plant is a very impor- tant and necessary adjunct to the sea-worthiness, for should the power plant of a vessel of this character fail while at sea, especially in heavy weather, it would un- doubtedly be attended with very disastrous results for but little provision can be made for the spreading of canvas to gain steerage way because of the lack of the neces- sary stability in a submarine boat for this manner of pro- pulsion. The power plant should therefore be as simple as is possible in construction in order to enable temporary repairs to be made at sea, when any difficulty does arise, with the limited means which may be found on board. Spares for all the parts which would be difficult to repair must be carried in stowage. The installation of the plant must be made with these contingencies in view, and must be carried out in such a way as to leave the machinery accessible in every part so as to enable the making of these repairs in an expeditious manner. Speed is also a requisite of prime importance, for upon this characteristic depends the submarine’s ability to make a successful attack as well as to get safely away again. Although the torpedo has been developed so that now it has an effective range of 10,000 yards at a speed of 27 knots and a maximum speed of 43 knots at a range of 1000 yards, the range from which a submarine attack can be